An Online catalog which is also known as digital, or web catalog is an online directory of orderable products in an electronic format that includes product images, product descriptions and technical specifications of these products and is stored and retrievable on a website or DVD.

Regardless of whether you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer, online product catalogs are the first step toward e-commerce. They allow users to familiarize themselves with your product range in a convenient way. Thus, an online catalog is a web version of your product catalog.

An online catalog is intended to be used both internally and externally. Many online catalogs are even freely available and can be used without registration. Of course, in this case, the prices are not available. The main purpose of an online product catalog is to arouse the interest of a potential customer.

What types of web catalogs are there?

PDF catalog

This type of online catalog is a PDF version of the print catalog. This version is the easiest to create, but the least convenient for the user. Normally, this version of the web catalog is always created when a print catalog is created.

Digital Catalog (not browsable)

A fully-fledged online digital catalog is very similar to an online store without a shopping cart. There are various functions that make it easier to find a product:

• Faceted navigation, where you can set or remove various filters;
• Search function, preferably with product images and auto-suggest functionality;
• Comparison function, because it is often the little things that decide whether to buy or not;
• Breadcrumbs navigation - so that you can see where you are on the category tree;
• Pagination - so that the products are displayed page by page.

The user is often offered additional functions after logging in, such as:

• Information on prices
• Displaying additional details on the products
• Downloadable documents (data sheets, assembly instructions, user manuals, etc.)
• Favorites basket to remember products that have aroused interest.

Interactive Online Catalog (scrollable)

An interactive online catalog is very similar to a PDF catalog, as it also has pages that can be scrolled through. However, there are many additional functions to make it more convenient for the user. For example, you can use the search function. You can jump directly to a certain page. There are bookmarks, hyperlinks, etc.

How does an Online Product Catalog differ from an E-Commerce solution?

Compared to your paper catalog, an online catalog allows you to present your products online. Not only can numerous product images be displayed on the product page, but there are also detailed product descriptions, and technical specifications. There is no obligation to adhere to the frames of a printed page. Although there is no order function, inquiries can be submitted.

An e-commerce website is a web portal on which the product assortment of the manufacturer, wholesaler, or online retailer is presented. The main difference to an online catalog is that the e-commerce website has a shopping cart module and offers customers the opportunity to order the desired products directly and bindingly. Normally, an online store is used for smaller orders, but with B2B online stores, prices can even be negotiated. The availability of items is normally checked and displayed immediately.

How does a PIM solution help with the creation of an Online Catalog?

For a digital product catalog to contain all product information, you should enter it first. If you use a separate solution to create an online catalog, this can become quite a tedious process. Alternatively, you can use a PIM system to synchronize the data to your online catalog solution or generate an online catalog directly from the PIM system, if this PIM system supports this functionality.

Using a PIM system has another advantage: the product data that has been prepared for the online product catalog can also be used for other sales channels, e.g. for creating a print catalog or for passing on to wholesalers. The use of a PIM system ensures that the data is qualitative and complete, the re-entry of data for specific channels is avoided and the risk of data errors is reduced. Marketing and product managers save a lot of working time and can concentrate on operational activities.

Another advantage of a PIM system is that it takes into account the associations between products (cross-selling, options, accessories, replacement products, spare parts, etc.). This information can be used on your website or in your online store to generate additional sales.

From creation to validation to archiving, the product in the PIM goes through different life cycles depending on the progress of the enrichment and can involve the relevant employees in the process as required, increasing the overall efficiency of collaboration.